A Monday evening errand turned into a nightmare for a 13-year-old girl in South Florida. Police say a grown man grabbed her in broad daylight, and it took one bystander speaking up to break it up!
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Miramar police say that the scary incident happened around 5:34 p.m. on Monday at a Shell station at 2840 South State Road 7. According to investigators, the girl was walking home when a man identified as 32-year-old Michael E. Polanco came up behind her, grabbed her, and locked her in a headlock while trying to walk her away.
Reports say he wore a bright orange bike helmet and that he had made explicit, sexual comments toward her, according to a witness who spoke with officers. Dispatch audio obtained by WSVN reportedly captured him telling her to “give him some kisses.”
Thankfully a good Samaritan started yelling at Polanco, and that distraction gave the girl enough room to break free and get help. The witness said she ran into the gas station while he called 911. One person decided not to mind their own business, and a different ending is easy to imagine without that.
Polanco ran off westbound, but officers were already getting calls about another disturbance involving a man who matched his description. Miramar police said in a statement that officers found him nearby, and both the victim and the witness positively identified him. That put the cuffs on him fast.
Police say Polanco has a history of violent offenses, including felony battery, burglary with assault, narcotics, and exposure of sexual organs. He was ultimately booked into the Broward County Main Jail on charges of battery causing bodily harm and kidnapping, inflicting bodily harm upon or terrorizing the victim.
A judge denied his bond on Tuesday, so he is staying put while the case moves forward.